Countdown was a pop music program created by Michael
Shrimpton, Rob Weekes and Ian Meldrum. It first aired on the ABC on 8th
November 1974 and was initially a half hour program shown on Saturday
night. By January 1975, after the initial six half-hour episodes the ABC
relaunched Countdown, shifting it to the prime time slot of 6pm Sunday
and extending it to a full hour. Ian "Molly" Meldrum was talent
coordinator on the show and later took over as presenter. Countdown was
initially hosted by guest D.Js, with John Farnham hosting the first one
hour program.

In 1974 the fledgling music scene in Australia was definitely
growing and artists like Skyhooks, Sherbet, AC/DC and John Paul Young
made their mark through this program. Countdown established itself almost
immediately in 1974 as a world class program and was responsible for introducing
the ABBA phenomenon to the rest of the world. By 1975 Countdown was internationally
renowned and any performer visiting Australia would appear on the show.
ABBA weren't the only act who owed much of their success to Countdown;
many other bands like Blondie and The Human League got their -break in
Australia through Molly's endless push for bands and artists to be recognised
both nationally and internationally. Pseudo Echo made their debut (performing
"Listening") on Countdown as an unsigned band in 1983. Without
Countdown, many artists would not have been given the opportunities that
they had.

Ian "Molly" Meldrum was responsible for the institution
that was Countdown. For an amazing run of 13 years, it was the showcase
for some of the finest from the music world both locally and internationally,
and for the nurturing of new talent.

This is a Web site dedicated to my favourite music
program Countdown!

My name is Jason and I grew up watching Countdown from the
very late 70s and when it all ended in July 1987 I was seriously crushed!
Though I was extremely young when I started watching Countdown, it was
a program that I was instantly attracted to and it became a family ritual
for all of us at 6.00pm every Sunday night without fail for years on end.

Countdown was a very unique program as it proved, in many
families, to be a perfect catalyst in breaking down the generation gap
- we all could relate to it! But most importantly for me, I knew, once
I saw Countdown, that music was my best friend. The idea of seeing pop
stars and being introduced to music, bands and fashion for the first time
was truly an amazing experience for me, and I discovered many of my favourite
bands and artists on Countdown that still exist to this day!

My very early memories of Countdown exposed me to the faces
of Olivia, Split Enz, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Queen, Michael Jackson, Kate
Bush, David Bowie, Judie Tzuke and Mi-Sex. Some of those artists scared
me as a child, yet I found them intriguing.

My obsession with music quickly started from music video
via Countdown in 1981 and prominently in 1982, when my older sister and
I always had Countdown on in the house! With the beginnings of the extremely
exciting and eye catching New Romantic Movement plus pop bands and solo
artists, it all just grew from there.

In
1982 Countdown introduced me to Culture Club whose front man Boy George
led me to discover a British movement with a difference. Boy George was
what was known as a "Gender Bender" who not only was a great
talent but also took club culture, cross dressing and social issues and
awareness into suburban households. And for me as a child, he was one
of the only things I could identify with.

The Countdown presenters also played a huge part in its
success. They were passionate about their art form and wanted the teenagers,
kids and adults of Australia to discover what was new in music. Their
links to the music industry existed before Countdown and their love for
it was undoubtedly obvious with their enthusiasm informing music lovers
of the latest stages, changes and trends in music.

Molly's passion was always greatly expressed during Humdrum
and in interviews, like his love for the Dare album by The Human League,
his friendships with Madonna, Elton John, Rod Stewart and more.. and his
never ending drive and passion for more Australian content on commercial
radio was an energy that couldn't be ignored. With Gavin Wood as part
of the team till this day their enthusiasm for music has not changed.
Watching pop idols on Countdown brought fashion into the limelight and
music was its mentor, it was a truly creative and important period for
music, video and presentation.

Not only was Countdown extremely important but other music
programs on Australian television introduced pop, dance music, new wave,
rock and funk music video's on a great level, with videos from all around
the globe. From Sounds, Rock Arena, The Noise, Rock Around The World,
Nightmoves to Wave Length, Between The Teeth, Music Video and the longest
ABC music program to run in this country being Rage!...

I have dedicated this site to the most important music program
from Australia as it brought pop music into the mainstream in a very influential
way and introduced lovers of music to many new artists and to video. Programs
like Rage have been repeating Countdown episodes every January since 1993
which has been absolutely fantastic as it proves how important it is to
look back on the history of Countdown as it changed Australian music television
forever.

I hope all Countdown lovers and people influenced by music
of the 1970s and 1980s will enjoy this site as much as I have had putting
it together!!!